Did I Do Enough Today? Embracing Daily Accomplishments

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“It is every man’s obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out of it.” – Albert Einstein

At the end of yesterday, I looked at the three holiday cards that I intended to send off this week and grimaced. I didn’t get them done.

And yet at the end of the day I asked my 10-year-old daughter if she’d had a good day and she said, “Yes, and it’s all because of you, Mom.”

I don’t know if I can take credit for that but I did take four kids to the Museum of Flight (my two kids and a friend each). I fed everyone, did the laundry, took Cooper the dog for two walks, touched base with a few friends, and even managed to take a shower, meditate, and create some calm to carry with me throughout the day.

But I still looked at those cards and asked the question that I frequently wrestle with, “Did I do enough today?”

The answer that I usually come to is that I did as much as I could and it was enough. I might not be changing the world or getting things done at the pace I would like, but I show up and will eventually get where I’m going. I’ve done a lot of work to accept that as enough. Thank goodness I manage to sleep at night so I can start again the next day.

So here’s my question to you – do you ask yourself, “Did I do enough today?” And if so, what’s your answer?

(featured photo is the Space Shuttle Trainer at the Museum of Flight)

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68 thoughts on “Did I Do Enough Today? Embracing Daily Accomplishments”

  2. Most of the time I think as individuals we know what we need/want to accomplish, what will make the most significant impact in a day, week, etc. There’s always more that a person can do but… I also don’t think we benefit anyone (including ourselves) by feeling a need to question or evaluate if we went far enough. I think for some that can bring up questions of self-worth or lack thereof. There’s a hint of comparison happening, a hint of being judgmental regarding that ideal of doing and self-worth. I think that can be tricky to manage and for some, even harmful.

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    2. Exactly! Sometimes the pressures we feel are internally created and really don’t reflect any wishes or desires from others. As someone who has had chronic illness, the lesson of giving ourselves grace is learned quickly. Sometimes we can do more, and other times less, and it’s OKAY!

      Liked by 1 person

  4. I think it has become a more complicated question than it might have been before, for example, the gassing of families with small children at a Portland rally over the weekend. For me, it is not so much a question of judging myself, but rather, a reminder of necessity.

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    1. You put your finger on it, Dr. Stein. It is more complicated right now because of the current state of this country. It feels as if the bar has been raised! Thank you for the insight.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Oh Miss O, her words just warm my heart. I hope they did the same for you, Wynne. On the days where things feel extra hectic and the to do list doesn’t get shaved down, it’s so easy to feel that you didn’t do enough. But as someone observing your family from afar, I can reassure you that you are alway doing enough – more than enough, in fact. 💕🙏

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    1. “On the days where things feel extra hectic and the to do list doesn’t get shaved down” – oh, you nailed it, Ab. And I think given the state of our country, it feels more urgent to do more. Thank you for the incredibly kind comment. I truly appreciate it, my friend!

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  6. I don’t ask myself that question because I don’t ever want to feel badly about myself if I haven’t accomplished enough. Typical me, shying away from anything negative.

    I need to check out the Museum of Flight, because I’m a bit obsessed with the space shuttle.

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    1. The Space Shuttle is so cool! They also have the plane used as Air Force one when Nixon was in office.

      Such an interesting observation about the question, Mark. I’m sure no matter the answer you could make it positive!

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  7. I think we can torture ourselves with that question. Some days we do way more and others, we barely do anything at all. And that’s okay because it’s all about balance!

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  8. This is a truth, Wynne: “I did as much as I could and it was enough.” For years of my life, I accomplished near-nothing, BUT I learned to recognize the small wins, sometimes things as small as speaking kindly to myself.

    There’s no use beating ourselves us, as long as we’re not squandering time thing we know don’t serve us.

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  10. It seems to me, Wynne, that it’s about defining and re-defining enough. I don’t have to be superman/superwoman. I’ve done enough – and I’m content with that. I had 10 things on my to-do list. I’ve done 5. That’s enough. That’s OK

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  11. I would absolutely love to tour your Museum of Flight. We’ve toured several air and space museums, and they’re always so fascinating and educational!
    And yes, just last night I was complaining to my husband how I worked all day but still didn’t manage to finish my to-do list. How does that happen? Why can’t I get all the things done? Yes, we do ‘enough’, but there’s always more – more people who need us, more work that needs to get done before it becomes unmanageable. Just when we think we hurdled over a big week, another one comes along… We wake up early, we go to bed late, and we’re always tired. This led to the idea that we need a vacation… So at least there’s that bright spot to look forward to. ✨✨ But the hard truth, some of us just have that independent personality that needs to keep working, that sees all the ways things can be better, that can’t seem to be content without forward movement, goals, and purpose….

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    1. I love that you are going to take a vacation. That’s a great way to interrupt the cycle! But you are so right about the hard truth! Yes, we ourselves can be a tough task master!

      Come visit our Museum of Flight! If that’s part of your trip, let me know. I’d love to meet!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. It’d be so fun to visit the Museum of Flight! Your area isn’t on our current traveling agenda, but when it is, I’ll defiantly reach out.

        Like

  13. “I did take four kids to the Museum of Flight (my two kids and a friend each). I fed everyone, did the laundry, took Cooper the dog for two walks, touched base with a few friends, and even managed to take a shower, meditate, and create some calm to carry with me throughout the day.” . . .

    Enough is plenty Wynne, and you certainly accomplished more than enough, especially what’s most important as your daughter’s words testified to … Good job mom! The Thank You cards are for later.

    Keep Looking Up ^ … His Best is Yet to Come!

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    1. That’s a good question, Cristiana. I think it feels more urgent these days because of what’s happening in the country. I wonder if I could turn it around like you’ve suggested while knowing so many are facing tough circumstances. Hmm…

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  16. I hear you…always so much to do and my brain won’t shut off just because I want it to. I think these words, “I show up” speak volumes about honoring the heart, even if the pace for we achievers seems slow. I get you! 💝

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  17. Great post and great question! The answer for me is that yes I ask myself this every day although most of the time I’m not conscious of it. The answer I think I am subconsciously giving myself is “no- I didn’t do enough”. I have to consciously remind myself of what I did do and how that is enough, just like you wrote about. My desire to reach my never-ending list of goals, and my focus on trying to get better all the time combines with my lack of patience to cause me more self- imposed stress than is necessary. I sometimes need to remind myself to chill out.

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    1. Oh, you nailed it with, “My desire to reach my never-ending list of goals, and my focus on trying to get better all the time combines with my lack of patience to cause me more self- imposed stress than is necessary.” So right on!! Thank you for the thoughtful answer, Todd!

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  18. You heard from your daughter that you made a positive difference today in her life. How does that not impact the future? It’s not about how many different chores you accomplish or activities you drive to but being present for your kids. Did you change the world today? I think there is a strong possibility.

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  20. I don’t know about you, but after what Miss O said, I would probably have cried a little and then said to myself, “Yes, I did more than enough today,” and called it a day, well, after taking a shower, of course. You are doing the things that really matter, my friend.

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  21. “I did as much as I could, and it was enough.” I love this healthy perspective. We all have days that don’t go the way we planned, and it can be annoying at times. Still, unless pressed for a deadline, there’s always tomorrow.

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  25. I learned and accepted long ago that there will always be unfinished tasks at the end of every day. There’s always more to be done.

    I make a to do list every morning. Some days I get through it all. Some days I don’t, but that usually means I did other things instead. It’s all good.

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  26. I think you always did more than enough, Wynne. Just being a mom is a lot of work already plus other schedules and responsibilities. Even if I nap sometimes, I will still said to myself that I did enough.🤭 Yes, sometimes I feel not so satisfied of my day, and it’s normal.🤩

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  27. I don’t believe it is necessary to ask if we can do more; it is simply human nature to want to push ourselves. Instead, a better question might be, “What stood out in your day?” Whether it was something you achieved or something you witnessed, your description of your day shows you are creating core memories with your children.

    I am certain that when those cards arrive in the mail, they will be perfectly timed and bring great joy to the recipients. Never forget that life has a beautiful way of working itself out.

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